Dawn had barely broken.
Nawaki wore a gray training outfit, his hair casually tied into a little tuft, and slipped out through the back gate of the Senju Clan Compound.
No chakra, no ninja tools.
Just running.
Konoha was quiet in the early morning. The streets held only vendors heading to the morning market and old women sweeping the roads. Nawaki ran along the main street at an unhurried pace, no different from an ordinary teenager out for morning exercise.
As he passed a vegetable stall, the short, stout Uncle Ban was carrying baskets of radishes outside.
"Hey, Uncle Ban, those radishes look fresh today."
Uncle Ban looked up and nearly dropped the basket in his hands.
The Senju Clan Head?
The Senju Clan Head who had wiped the floor with Danzo?
"N-Nawaki-sama!"
"Don't call me sama. Just call me Nawaki." Nawaki casually helped him carry the basket to the stall, dusting off his hands. "Save me two bunches of scallions tomorrow. We need them for breakfast at home."
Uncle Ban stood there dumbfounded for a long while before realizing Nawaki had already run off.
The Senju Clan Head had helped him carry radishes.
The Senju Clan Head had told him, "Just call me Nawaki."
Did the Senju Clan Head even haggle when buying groceries?
—No, wait, he hadn't haggled.
Uncle Ban scratched his head, picked out ten bunches of the best scallions, and set them aside.
He would give them to him for free tomorrow.
Nawaki kept running.
As he passed the corner of South Street, an old woman sweeping the road failed to notice her bamboo broom had fallen over. Nawaki bent down, picked it up, and handed it to her.
"Auntie, watch your step."
The old woman took the broom and froze when she saw the boy's